New Rec Climber

[Ragnar]

There are some videos on youtube and the knot is also described in the TCC. I was tying it by keeping the top cord on top for all of the braids just for simplicity and consistency. Jepson writes that (for the braids) keeping the same leg of cord on top or alternating the legs is acceptable and is a matter of preference.

http://www.arboristsite.com/communi...h-one-to-use-for-different-situations.260689/

Lots of fun stuff still to learn.

That was my logic for the figure 8 as well. Just need a back up in case I let go of rope and the friction hitch does the same as an autoblock.

Doing a longer descent on with a figure 8 just seems like an all around better practice. Right now, I am just using it for practice/knowledge.

 

[Howie65]

Lots of fun stuff still to learn.

I agree

Jepson writes that (for the braids) keeping the same leg of cord on top or alternating the legs is acceptable and is a matter of preference.

In one of the mentioned articels "An Overview of Climbing Hitches" Mark Adams named your hitch a "Valdotain" and the one with the alternating legs a "Valdotain tresse". About their behavior he writes:

The Valdôtain tresse holds the climber in
place, releases easily and grips reliably, and
then advances easily and grips reliably as
well. But, while the Valdôtain may become
loose after being advanced up the climbing
line, the Valdôtain tresse stays together and
more consistently maintains contact with
the climbing line, which means that it grips
more reliably after it has been moved up
the line.

If he is right at this point than it is not only a matter of preference.

Now I am a little bit confused but this is maybe the destiny of a student.

 

[gmcttr]

...Doing a longer descent on with a figure 8 just seems like an all around better practice. Right now, I am just using it for practice/knowledge.

I don't recall reading about any other climbers using a figure 8 or other descending device in addition to a DdRT or SRT system to descend. Early on, I carried an 8 as a backup way to get down but now rely on the knowledge that I could use a biner (which I have anyway) with a munter hitch and autoblock.

If you used a hitch climber system SRT (which is rarely done), you would want to use an 8, etc to share the friction with the hitch on descent.

 

[Ragnar]

It was your comments that lead me to beleive using a figure 8 was standard practice for descending. Even if it is not needed, it's still fun and quick to do. May not use it all the time but wanted to make sure I knew how.

 

[Howie65]

I don't recall reading about any other climbers using a figure 8 or other descending device in addition to a DdRT or SRT system to descend.

For long descents I have seen this technique from time to time to save the prusik.
Here is an example video from @oldfart using the ATS for that (at 1:50).

Another video in which oceans uses the Wrench on a long descent in an DdRT system for added friction (near the end around 9:15).

btw thank you @moss and @oceans for sharing this wonderful video full of techniques and tipps!

 

[CutHighnLetFly]

i used to wrap the line between my boots almost like foot locking, just really loose wiht my feet apart.
buuuut that puts some serious wear on my Chippawas and those are some costly enough worth protecting too, this looks like a good alternative. thanks tom